Chapter Six - Gage

I stand to the side, watching Lilah chew her bottom lip with determination as she does her best to mirror the hula instructor.

“Put your feet slightly apart like this, bend your knees, and place your hands on your hips. Excellent. Now step 1, 2, 3, 4 to the left. Good. Now 1, 2, 3, 4 to the right. Feel the ocean roll through your hips as you sway. Perfect.” The instructor claps. “You’re doing the hula.”

Lilah looks up at me, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m doing it.”

“Indeed, you are.” It’s the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. Her round eyes crinkle at the corners, and my heart skips a beat. My mother smiled the same way.

“Come on, try it with me.” Lilah reaches for my hand.

I have zero interest in doing the hula. But as Lilah’s tiny palm slides along mine and she looks up at me with shiny blue eyes full of wonder and hope, I melt. “I’m not a very good dancer.”

“Don’t be scared. I’ll teach you.”

I follow her lead, a swell of emotions rising: pride, love, responsibility, and a mountain of protectiveness. Lilah is my daughter. My flesh and blood. There’s so much to make up for and learn about her. I want to know everything.

I catch Darla watching us from across the room. Anger starts to percolate under my skin. But when the light from the Tiki torches flickers across her face, I see her eyes are red and swollen, her face pale. Guilt starts to replace the anger. Then the advice from the ER doctor runs through my head.

Let your emotions settle down so your brain can catch up with your heart. There may be more to the story than you know.

The emcee for the Luau event jumps onto the stage. “May I have everyone’s attention, please? Some of you may have spotted a wedding on the beach earlier. Would you please give a warm island welcome to the new Mr. and Mrs. Bowman? Come on up here, you two. It’s time for your first dance.”

The crowd cheers. Lilah jumps up and down with joy. “Auntie Emily looks beautiful.”

“She sure does.” I agree.

“Do you think Uncle Jake will like me?”

“No.” I shake my head.

The smile falls from her face. “What?”

“He’s going to love you.”

The laugh that bubbles out of her makes me laugh, too. “You pulled my leg!”

“I did.” I wink.

Jake holds Emily close, the happiness on his face unmistakable. I hope it lasts.

The music starts, the photographer starts snapping pictures, and the emcee invites everyone to dance.

“You’re supposed to be dancing with mummy,” Lilah announces.

“Why is that?”

“You’re the best man, and mummy’s the maid of honor, silly.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s a wedding tradition.”

Wow, my daughter is smart. I look over at Darla. “So, you think I should dance with your mother?”

“Yes.” She gives me a gentle shove. “Hurry, or the song will be over.”

Not about to disappoint my daughter, I make my way to Darla. Her eyes widen as I stand over her and offer her my hand. “We have to dance together. Lilah says it’s a wedding tradition.”

“You don’t have to.” She mumbles. “I know I’m the last person on earth you even want to look at right now.”

“About that…” I bend down, pull out her chair, and help her to her feet. I rest my hand on the small of her back. “I think I owe you an apology.”

“No,” she shakes her head so hard I’m surrounded by strawberry shampoo-scented clouds. “I deserved it. And so much more.”

I give her a nudge forward. “Let’s just dance, okay?”

“Okay.”

When we reach the dance floor, I put my arms around her waist and pull her close. She’s trembling so hard that the fabric of her dress quivers under my hands.

“Breathe,” I whisper in her ear. “And smile. Our daughter is watching.”

Darla tips her head back. “I am so sorry.”

“I know.” My thumbs start stroking her back. “We’ll figure it all out.”

A sob bursts out of her. She crushes her face into my chest. “I…I…think it was better…” she hiccups, “when you hated me.”

“I never hated you.” I hold her tight.

Lilah sprints across the floor. “Mummy, why are you crying?”

Darla wipes tears from her face. “Weddings make me cry, peanut.”

“Oohhh. I get it. Weddings make you cry ‘cause you wished my father asked you to marry him.”

My feet stop moving. “Is that so?”

“Yup. She told me a gazillion times.” Lilah nods.

Darla’s eyes widen in horror.

Warm waves of heat roll through my stomach as hope winds through my bones and straight to my heart. I look down at Lilah, shift my eyes to Darla, then back at Lilah.

My girls.

Damn, this twister of emotions I’m riding is going to kill me.

One minute, I’m ready to commit murder; the next, my heart is ripped out of my body, bleeding on the ground, and now it’s beating so hard inside my chest that I can barely breathe.

These are my girls.

I swing an arm out. “Come on, Lilah. Let’s dance.”

She giggles, puts her arms around us, and grins. “This is the best vacation ever.”

As I hold Darla and Lilah close, I can’t stop smiling.

Lilah might just be right.

This might turn out to be the best vacation ever.